New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-29
TO IMPROVE THE CANALS.
APPROPRIATION URGED IN ROCHESTER,.
TILE DELEGATES TO THE UNION REPU SIN TO ASK
FOR FEDERAL AID
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIsUxxl

ROCHESTER, July 2s.--Ths third conference OF the
members OF the Union for the Improvement Of the
Canals was held here to-day. Over 800 delegates
were present. They from every city and
almost every village the line of ths Erie, the
Oswego and the Champlan canals. Large delegations
were present from NewYork and Brooklyn ard from
places upon the Hudson River Buffalo sent eighty
delegates. It appropriate that George Cnto.i,
grandson OF Dewitt Clinton, the father OF the canal
system. should preside over the conference. He was
accompanied from Buffalo among others by ex-Mayor
Schew, Assemblymen Sheeban and Gicse, Robert R.
Hiford ex-Assembymen Hickman AMI Roberts and
K. III. Butler. OF The Buffalo News From the city
OF New-York there came ex-Congressman Orlando
b. Potter John +. Henry. William b. Webb, Colonel
Frederic A. Conkling, Ambrose Snow and Frank s.
Gardner. The Canal-bOatmen's Association repre-
sentsd by William F. Cleary, Captain Edward F. De
Pauw and Willism E. Clark. There were also present
Congressman Burlegh and w. H. left, OF Whitehall
Congressman w. Nutting. ex-Speaker Dewitt g.
Lttleiohn and ex-Canal Auditor john A. Place,
from Oswego Assenblyman Weed. OF Plattsburgj
Henry z. Fish, OF Rochester cx- x-Ralroad Commis
soner John O'Donncll Congressman Baker and
Assemblyman Maurrr. OF Rochester; Senator Wemple,
OF Amsterdam; x-Assembyman john Lgbton of
Syracuse, Ira ID. Brown OF Weedsport ex- Assembly
A. A. Bissell, OF Weedsport; ex-senator Roberts,
OF Rome; William A. Armstrong OF Elmira, Editor OF
I" The Husbandman' Daniel bavees, OF Brooklyn and
General A. w. Riley, OF Rochester
The conference held in the City Hall The
large OF the Common Council was crowded with
the delegates, who we're welcomed to Rochester by
Professor o. i. Williams. hv predicted that the Erie
Canal would eventually be kept oren the winter By
the use OF hot water.
George Clinton reviewed the legislation of the State
in the interest OF tho canals in the ast three years
and sketched the improvements III the canals medi-
tated by the Canal Union. The delegates heartily
appauded Mr. Clinton when In the course Of his
speech he made the statement given below:
cannot. pass without notice the assertion so often
and loudly male thst the canals have teen their day
aud that further expenditures upon them would be
useless. This shadow OF argu nent is opposed to
truth the vement OF the products Oi Forest teld
aad factory has increased-aye, to this day the
stream flowing thorerom through our canals has
grown-and not all the raro ds that have been or can
be built have reduced or reduce the Hood. II We
but look Mt the business done by the canals In 1856
will lind that they have furnished transportation
for nearly 100000 tons OF the value OF over
$lsO,U0OOOO. commerce in itself so immense as to
dety the OF the most acute and expert
enced mind. Again, II We examine the business for
the present year. find the tact proved that traic
Upon the canals Is steadily increasing. Tor. notwith.
standing the tact that the Erie Canal not opened
until week later than last year. the number OF tons
carried by the canals to and including the second
week Of this month the latest date tor which we have
reliable information. exceeds the Number OF tons
carried last ear by NEARLY 10000 the tonnage OF
1856 from May l 10 July Ii being ,7O7, Ala, and
the tonnage OF this year from May to July IA being
i,7946I5 Comparison OF the canal grain traffic with
that OF the railroads also shows that the supremacy
Of the waterways is b;ing maintained. IL is well
the grain trade from Buffalo eastward this
spring. and that II ecessfu that IL received
$3.50. l4i bushels oi grain in Nay owing partly to
the late opening of the canal Yet OF the l22ol,9l
bushels which reached New York in May By rail-
and coast and canal. .4.374000 bushels, or 37.70
per cent o. the WHOLE passed the canals while In
June of Ia I4O 7s4 bushels delivered ut New York.
7305.7CU bushels, or 80 per cent, we're carried In
our caual-boats
wonderfully vigorous yet They are not falling into
disuse and they will. ihis our present expert
ence and past history teaches The railroads OF the
world recognize that canal transportation tor henvy
freghts is the best aud cheapest. In Europe to-day
immense canals being constructed and the same
IL true in all she civilized world
Tine convention then reelected Mr.. Clinton az presi-
dent By q unanimous vote; Orlando Is. Potter, OF
New-York. and John +. Henry, as vice-presidens !;
william II. Webb OF New-York. ~ treasurer, and
+. s. Gardner, oi New-York and q. w. Hickman, Of
Buhalo, as secretaries.
committee on resolutions was appointed. Cen
gre, sman Burleigh offered resolution that as Can
adian canal boats permitted to 10 untaxed over
New-York canals, that n similar privilege be de-
mauded Canadian canals tor New-York canal
boats. Senator Wemple offered resolution In favor
OF the construction of dam at Forestport aud the
pendtqre Of 100000 in deepening the canals. EI.
Railroad Commissioner O'Donpell offered a resolution
deelaripg that real estate should not be taxed tor
canal improvements This was supposed to be pre-
sented placate the farmers Who object to paying
taxes for canal improvements rining the amount
they pay.
TIE committee made ITS report at p. II. Tho plat.
form may be said to be scheme for the work OF the
union before the Legislature. 1t ia long one, but its
gist Is 10 three resolutions The chief ones arc
given below:
Resolved. That the Seymour plan of doubling the
length OF the locks of canals, thus passing two
boats place Of Que at each lockage and pofoming
out the same to proper depth. does at q moderate
cost double the capacity OF single tow OF boats ana
thereby reduces greatly the cost oil transportation
through the State aud lessons TIE pow OF rail ways to
divert the trade OF the West from the state and city of
New-York TO rival and competing ports, while at the
same this mode OF water trans sportsoh being the
cheapest known to commerce will certainly operate as
regulator OF rail rates and forever prevent combine
ton OF the several trunk lines TOR the purf0s OF
raising the same.
Resolved. That for reasons named 10 the foregoing
resolution IL Ia the policy State TO improve her
canas the proposed at the earliest possible
day. and that urge upon the Legislature at ts next
session to make liberal appropriations tor that pur-
pose. 80,
resolved, That this convention looks with iavor
upon the adoption of commercial treaty with the
Dominion OF Canada, whereby all tarf rates between
the two countries may be- sabOlishcd thereby largely
increasing the trade and cemmerce OF ours and other
States.
Another resolution approves a recommendation
made by the Superintendent OF Public Works, That
the canals .e deepened to uniform depth OF seven
tee and that the Legislature be asked to propriate
10000 to begin this work 1t was succeeded by
these resolutions:
Resolved. That since tho canals OF our State hare
been made tree OF tolls all property passing over
tue same including the property OF tho Dominion OF
Canada as we'll OF The States OF the Onion, In tne
utpment OF this convention just reciprocity de-
mands that tho canals of the Dominion be made free
OF tolls to the commerce of the citizens OF tho United
States passing through the same, and that commit
tee Of three be appointed by the president OF the con-
veption to confer with the Canadian authorities an
the same to the treaty making power at Wash
ington :,
Resolved, That tho saving in the cost OF nour ZEE
and coal and other articles of general use TO the
farmers iaborers and the o the people by tne
propo ed Improvement Of the canals tar exceeds the
sums required tor these improvements.
Ex-senator Mo Arthur pressed In fiery speech. the
adoption OF q resolution invoking Federal aid tor the
canals, but was beaten by decisive vote Ex-Rail-
road Commissioner UDonnell presented resolution
canals and aftsr speeches haa boen made against IL
by ex-Congressnan Potter OF Ne~York and Assem-
blyman Sheehan, of Buffalo, tne resolution WAS re-